Animal rescue group in cash crisis

5:10pm Wednesday 6th August 2008

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An animal rescue charity is struggling to survive after a huge increase in casualties.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) is already facing a £4,000 shortfall on its veterinary bills and is facing an uncertain future.

The volunteers have dealt with 2,300 incidents so far this year - the equivalent of a year’s worth of work in just seven months.

Founder Trevor Weeks has had to dip into his own savings just to cover the costs of the service.

He puts the dramatic rise down to other animal charities and sanctuaries closing down, meaning more and more call outs.

He said: “It is heartbreaking that we do not have the funding to expand to cope with the demand.

“It is really hard having to tell people we cannot respond and can’t afford the vets bills or travel costs and food.

“It surprises me how many people think we are funded by the RSPCA or funded by local authorities.

“We do get valuable small grants from a few councils but this money does not go very far. Despite what a lot of people think, I am a volunteer and do not get paid for what I do.”

Trevor started undertaking wildlife rescue and conservation work as a schoolboy.

He used to jump on a train to Brighton and walk along the coast picking up oiled seabirds during the winter months.

Slowly people started contacting Trevor direct rather than being called out by the groups he volunteered for and WRAS was formed in the early 1990s.

He added: “I hate the fact that we are struggling to help much at the moment but we hope this will be a short term problem.

“We need to members of the public to donate to us and companies to sponsor our service so we can keep going.”

Anyone who can help WRAS should call Trevor on 07813 103474.